Is That My Alter Ego

11 – Forced Rest

-One! Two!

“Swing harder!”

Swish-!

I watched Lieutenant Seris and the mercenaries training diligently under the scorching sun.

‘They seem to be working much harder than before.’

Since dealing with Nepenthes, somehow the training intensity increased, and all the members seemed to approach the training with a willingness to die.

Well, it’s a good change. Good things are good.

‘Status Window.’

[Name: Venice / Age: 29 / Gender: Male / Condition: Injured]

[Unique Ability (Magic Sight): Eyes that can see magic. Can trace the trajectory of magic and use it more smoothly.]

[Unique Ability (Talent Perception): Can perceive the talents of others. Can grasp unique abilities, potential, and condition at a glance.]

[Unique Ability (Superior Physique): Your body is as if created by a god! Stamina, strength, situational judgment… All physical abilities are greatly enhanced!]

The change in my status window was the talent perception.

Not only could I see my own condition, but I could also confirm the state of the other person through ‘talent perception.’

‘Can this also grow? Does that mean unique abilities can develop with certain actions?’

If unique abilities can grow, does that mean they can develop with specific actions?

Alright… it’s getting more and more interesting.

“Pay attention! Swing faster! One!”

“One!”

By the way. I also want to train. As I watched them train so diligently, with expressions of joy on their faces, I felt my body burning up as well.

There was a reason why I was only watching Ceris and the mercenaries train like this. I didn’t just want to be a spectator.

“Hmm… Maybe I should start moving.”

After I regained my senses, my body started to feel restless from not moving for a day.

So it wouldn’t be too painful. I thought I could move around at this point, so I immediately grabbed a sword and was about to start training.

“Captain…?”

“Ceris, vice captain? What’s the matter?”

“What if you start moving already… You should take a little more rest.”

Ceris, who was watching me, quietly approached and asked me.

By the way, when did she come? I didn’t even hear her footsteps…

“It’s fine. I can move enough at this point…”

“No. Captain, you need to rest a little more.”

“….No. I’m fine…”

“You… need to take some rest.”

Suddenly, the light vanished from Ceris’ pupils, and she spoke to me with a dead look in her eyes.

What kind of person can have such a terrifying gaze?

“Uh… I understand… yes.”

“Yes. You did very well.”

“….Right.”

“What is there to say…?”

“Oh well. I guess I’ll go take a break then.”

Since she looked up at me with her eyes half-closed again, I had no choice but to go take a break.

Finally, Ceris turned her face back to normal and smiled at me.

I didn’t run away because I was scared. I just listened to our loyal squad leader’s words. Yeah, that’s right.

Anyway, even though it’s been a few days since then, every time I showed even the slightest movement to train, Ceris, like a ghost, would notice and come running at me with her dead gaze, making it impossible for me to train.

Sigh. I guess I should go to the office and organize some documents.

There were more documents to handle in the commander’s seat than I thought.

Saralak-

“A request to subdue a 1-star demon? A 1-star demon is no longer at our level. Pass.”

Saralak-

“What is this? Offering hundreds of gold just to find one person? The client…”

“…Northern Duke? This one is a bit…”

Pass. The North is a little different. I’ve heard it’s a place where terrible monsters roam, right?

If we were to choose the most dangerous place in the empire, it would always be in the top two. Enough said.

Other than that… there were some trivial or mismatched requests in terms of salary or our personalities, so I passed them right away.

“Sigh….”

It’s tough. It feels like this is harder than actually going into battle and fighting.

At that moment, my eyes caught sight of a sleek sword placed in a corner of the office.

“Oh right. That sword was there too.”

The dungeon where the Nepenthes was vanquished. It was a sword brought from there.

Indeed, it was the sword taken from the pavilion where the Nepenthes had appeared.

Emitting a radiant and beautiful light, the blade was so sharp it seemed it could slice through any barrier in a single stroke.

‘Talent Insight.’

[The Forgotten Hero’s Blade]

[Description: There once existed a hero who conquered the entire continent with a single sword. His movements were more concise and beautiful than anyone else’s. When a calamity that set the continent ablaze appeared, the hero, along with his eternal companion, vanquished it and perished on the spot. Though forgotten by the world, his will shall forever be remembered.]

[Unique Ability (???): Unknown.]

Since nothing was known about this beautiful sword beyond its appearance, I used Talent Insight out of curiosity.

The result led to the conclusion that Talent Insight could be used even on exceptional equipment.

The Forgotten Hero’s Blade. Its noble name and description suggested it might be an incredible artifact.

The problem was that even with my Talent Insight, I couldn’t discern the sword’s abilities.

Whether the sword itself had lost its powers, or I simply wasn’t qualified, nothing special was felt when I swung it.

Just that it seemed like a light and intricately made, exceptional sword?

‘It really seems like an exceptional sword. But nothing special… can be felt.’

And that was the same for the other mercenaries, even for Seris.

Then there must be some special condition… but I had no clue what it could be.

“Ah well. I’ll figure it out someday.”

Though it was a bit disappointing not being able to identify the mysterious sword, surely there would be fun in discovering it.

‘Anyway, was it today?’

When I went to the Mercenary Guild with the Nepenthes’ core and magic stones, I was told that they couldn’t provide a suitable reward yet.

The mercenary guild in the town of Leria, funded by the guild’s capital, couldn’t possibly calculate its worth.

Therefore, I requested a little more time, explaining that I would calculate it then.

The receptionist was astonished at the news of subduing a 4-star demon, and the bums who were hanging around the guild were so shocked that they nearly fell over.

The majesty of a 4-star demon in the empire was at that level. Probably news of it would spread throughout the empire, the receptionist mentioned.

And today was the day the receptionist had talked about. If I go with Seris by now, I should be able to receive the reward.

“Well then, shall we go?”

I headed towards the armory after politely grabbing the core of Nepenthes, which I had tucked away in the office safe, and the magic stone.

“Listen to the voice! One!”

“One!”

Seris, still engrossed in training, was sweating. “Vice Commander Seris!”

“Se… Ah! Yes! Commander! What can I do for you?”

“Do you have a moment?”

“Yes! Of course!”

As she said that, Seris rushed to me in the blink of an eye. Lately, I’ve been feeling that Seris is getting stronger as the days go by.

Certainly, she wasn’t that fast when I first saw her. Well, maybe it’s a good thing.

“It’s nothing much. Today is the day to go to the mercenary guild. I was wondering if you’d like to come with me.”

“Oh, is that so!”

“Yeah. I’m sorry for disturbing your training. If it’s not convenient, I can go alone…”

“No, no! It’s okay now! Let’s go together!”

– Carry out individual training in the countryside!

Seris shouted to the mercenaries, seeming somewhat excited.

“Captain. Can you wait for a moment? I’ll quickly wash up and come out…!”

“…Hmm. You don’t have to do that…”

“N-no! I’ve been sweating a lot, I’ll stink if I don’t wash up now…!”

After briefly sniffing at her clothes, Seris said she would hurry and wash up.

But there’s probably no need for that.

“If you’re doing it because of me, there’s really no need. I’m not particularly sensitive to smells…”

“…Yes?”

“Well. Although it does seem like there’s a faint citrus scent coming from you. I’m really fine.”

Indeed, there was a faint citrus fragrance emanating from Seris. It was sweet yet pleasant.

“…Eh…?”

“Then, go right ahead.”

Seris suddenly turned red for some reason. Why is she acting like that all of a sudden? Is something wrong?

Well, Seris should be fine.

“Eh… eh… uhh…”

Confirming that Seris, who was making strange noises, was obediently following behind, they headed towards the mercenaries’ guild.

Clunk. Clang~

– So, those guys…

– And then… Hmph!

– ….Hmm.

As soon as we entered, the bustling mercenary guild fell silent in an instant.

It was as if we had stepped into a library, with only the faint sound of rustling or movement.

When our eyes met the gazes of the vultures, who seemed frightened, they kept their eyes fixed on us.

“Ha.”

Seris seemed to enjoy seeing them lower their tails, and let out a chuckle.

“Oh, you’ve arrived!”

“Hmm. So it seems. Today must be the day I mentioned, right?”

“Yes! We’re ready. But before that… Could you spare a moment?”

“I have time, but…”

In response to the sudden request, I turned around and looked at Seris.

“………..”

Her mocking expression suddenly turned into a cold, expressionless one, and she looked at the receptionist with dead eyes.

“Vice-commander Seris?”

“…Ah! Yes. I’m fine.”

When I called Seris’ name, she finally returned to her usual self.

I don’t really know why she acted like that all of a sudden. Did something bad cross her mind?

“T-Then… if you would follow me…!”

“Oh dear.”

The receptionist, who was sweating coldly, seemed to have bitten her tongue out of haste. Oh dear… Be more careful. There was no need to rush like that.

As I touched the ball with my hand, I hurriedly followed the receptionist, who was heading somewhere.

“He’s inside here. Well then, I’ll take my leave-!”

The receptionist who guided us deep into the guild building hastily left as if fleeing.

There seemed to be something urgent.

Creak-!

Since there was no reason to delay, I immediately opened the door and stepped inside.

“…………!”

“……..!”

A powerful determination was immediately felt upon entering the room. I had never seen such a refined and disciplined determination before.

“….Have you come.”

Even though white frost fell on his head, his strength was not hidden.

An old man with white hair and a large scar on his left eye stood up from his seat.

“Nice to meet you. I am the head of the Imperial Mercenary Guild, called Karora.”

Even if we were prepared to die with Seris, it was impossible to feel any chance of winning against him.

‘A monster. Or a hero.’

There is no other way to describe him.

We came here just to settle our accounts. And suddenly, we met the person in charge of the entire mercenary corps within the empire.

An overwhelmingly strong person that we couldn’t even imagine.